Cunard’s
world famous Queen Elizabeth 2 will welcome puppet performers and a producer
from the Emmy Award-winning television series The Muppet Show during its
July 16-22, 2003, transatlantic crossing from Southampton, England, to
New York.

Among
the featured Muppets will be The Great Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Kermit’s
nephew Robin, Zoot and Floyd Pepper from the Electric Mayhem Band, Beauregard,
Lew Zealand and Dr. Julius Strangepork.

“The
Muppets may not be the most famous guests to have cruised on QE2, but
they’ll certainly be the most fun,” said Deborah Natansohn,
senior vice president, sales and marketing, Cunard Line. “We’ve
seen multiple generations of families book this voyage, including parents,
grandparents and great-grandparents.”

The 6-night voyage
– which is nearly sold-out – was marketed to families and
offered rates starting from $1,799 per person, double, including one-way
air to London.

In addition to being
entertained by principal Muppet Performers Dave Goelz and Jerry Nelson,
Martin Baker, a producer for The Jim Henson Company, will talk about his
experience working on The Muppet Show and introduce a documentary on Jim
Henson. Designer/Builder Jane Gootnick, who will talk about how the puppets
are initially designed, created and ultimately brought to life, will join
them.

Oscar-winning
creators of Chicken Run also aboard

As
an extra bonus, Peter Lord, co-founder of Ardman Animation, creators of
the Oscar-winning Wallace & Gromit animated short films, will be on
board for the crossing. In addition to introducing their box office smash
Chicken Run, they will showcase some of the miniature sets with which
they work and demonstrate how claymation is done.

Passengers
who are not fans of puppets and animated films or who are not travelling
with their children need not worry; additional “grown up”
entertainers and guest lecturers will be on board to ensure that passengers
of all ages enjoy their QE2 voyage.

Fan site Muppet Central created by Phillip Chapman. Updates by Muppet
Central Staff. All Muppets, Bear characters are copyright
of The Muppets Studio. Sesame Street characters are copyright of Sesame
Workshop.
Fraggle Rock, Creature Shop and similar likenesses are copyright
of The Jim Henson Company.
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